Motorcycle Repair: removal of the rear fender and gas tank, strut bolts, sportster 883

Question
i have a 1998 sportster 883. i am getting the tins painted by a friend in ohio but i need to remove them. i am trying to take off the rear fendr but it seams like i need to remove the rear tire to get to some bolts. i have only basic tools and have no idea how to deal with the belt drive and rear wheel removal. could you please try to explain a solution to me. thanks

Answer
To get the fender off you have to remove the wheel so you can get the strut bolts out. You would also have to remove the struts or when you put the new painted fender on you will probably scratch it. To remove the wheel you would have to jack the bike up, remove the axle, loosen the belt adjusters and the belt will come off the pulley. Then the wheel will come out. Once the wheel is out then you can remove the bolts for the fender.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike